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T O P I C R E V I E W

Zagato

Posted - 04 May 2014 : 13:10:50 I ought to 'register' her on here as she is a rolling project and will have quite a bit done to her over the years.

She was a lightly used family owned motor (aunt then niece) and has done 73,000 miles. She has been really well looked after, waxoyled at just the right time, never put back into the warm garage without being dried if wet and the interior was covered from new. Despite MOT's 'RUF' had only done 150 miles since 2004 when she had her last service, she is currently with Graham Macdonald having a full service and welding at the bottom of the rear wheel arch sill and around the front brake pipe. The floor pan, jacking points etc are in remarkably good condition - best I've ever had, even has original paint on the jacking points! Rust is just coming through once again around the front indicators so I will eventually get that sorted with new wings if I find a very good pair.

At the moment I have treated all the rusty bits without putting on top coat - I'm not bothered that she looks scruffy, just want to kill the rust and keep an eye on it. She looks much better in pictures as always and has some dings/dents in the passenger door that I will sort eventually.

For me I just want her mechanically sound/serviced to enjoy, the engine is sweet and she drives beautifully. It's nice in a way to have one that isn't bodily perfect as I can just have fun driving her without having to worry about stone chips etc.

Jobs to do include putting on a Jetex and getting a new MOT, take all fours wings off this summer for rust preventative treatment. New window chrome strips in, sort temp gauge that is resting at the top for some reason - odd, new shocks at some point, and smarten up the engine bay keeping her as original as possible e.g. The hose circlips(red bits on circlips) are all original so I will keep those.

She needs very good headrests and later type inserts, petrol cap, very good rubber bumper strips/clips and very good condition front bumper (same as 99,)2 VERY good wings, end caps for door strips, rear window black knob, a later type clock with orange hands and the little v shaped washer that goes on the bolt that holds the spare wheel down. I've had sport steering wheels and Ronals before and think it would spoil her (too boy racer'ish with her colour!) so she will be kept as standard as possible. I'm going to the SEC & Swedish Day if anyone has any of the above items.

New rubber, old tyres go back to 1993

My old Sonnet now exchanged for a sailing boat!

The previous owners husband sent me this picture from 1984 outside of a pub in Derbyshire.

1977 96L Opal Green

15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)

Zagato

Posted - 03 Mar 2018 : 09:52:11 Yes Andy, if I get time I will try the photo fix and get them restored. Looking forward to getting back on her

Whilst changing my email I lost contact with the previous owner so I got the service history out yesterday to write to him. I had forgotten about all the bumf it came with, orignal service stamped leaflet, sales invoice etc... So nice to have all the orignal paperwork with her... I cannot recall having any of that stuff with any of my 96's.

Posted - 03 Mar 2018 : 08:18:50 Time to get back on mine now that jobs at home have quietened down a bit and now that my Xmas present to myself a Yamaha FJR is serviced. I am digging out an area for a new garage for work which is a priority but I am hoping to get time to carry on with my old girl.

Engine needs painting, balance shaft or new shells sorting and hopefully a Webber if funds allow. New clutch to go on.

One rear wheel arch still to prepare for Dinitrol rust protection with new fuel pipe to go on and axle straps. Sort out possible gunk in petrol tank as it has been left full for nearly four years.

Repair or replace rear gearbox mounting point where the bulkhead bolt screws in.

Somehow try to paint the engine bay, and front wings etc. This is all going to cost a fortune in my area which kind of keeps holding the project up. Everytime I save about 5k which would complete the project but without a full respray I cannot face burning it on the 96 so buy a bike or another car or something. I have all my toys now so need to get some dosh together and throw it at the 96, that will take a couple of years yet with a new garage and ongoing house improvements!

Anyway, bit at a time and do it properly which is the best way for me...

James Ranaldi

Posted - 30 May 2017 : 20:50:36 Great stuff.

Time spent with Family is priceless.

The 96 can wait for a wee while.

Have fun.

1968 V4, LHD1984 99 GL1992 C900i Convertible1993 C900 LPT Convertible

Zagato

Posted - 30 May 2017 : 07:01:24 It,s been a month since I have done anything to the 96 . All energies have been directed at fixing the trailer and sorting the boat which we have been out on over the last few days . Seeing the kids fish and play makes all the effort worthwhile. Good to see old sailing buddies but my liver is complaining!

From this miserable state of affairs... Not going anywhere.

To this with strengthening angle iron treated with Dinitrol of course :wink:

Zagato

Posted - 21 Apr 2017 : 19:16:18 Full out at the moment, sorting a bent boat trailer, garden landscaping, kids over Easter hols and day job but am still doing bits. The new axle strap is now made, fasteners/brackets all treated and painted whilst the inner wing is now prepared for spraying various potions :D Thankfully my wife sorts the house and kids mostly despite a full time teaching job.

Zagato

Posted - 20 Apr 2017 : 07:58:08 Swap one for your house Rhys, would have to be 5 bed with a couple of acres though

RhysN

Posted - 19 Apr 2017 : 20:59:26 That is very nice. Now that you have a spare (hint, hint)

Zagato

Posted - 19 Apr 2017 : 16:34:46 Well the wait was worth it. The original SAAB Sport & Rally wheel renovated by Mota Lita looks superb, helped enormously by a decent horn badge not the cheap and nasty original one.

Newly renovated wheel on the left, original condition wheel on the right.

Derek

Posted - 12 Apr 2017 : 12:11:26 The front, rubber bumper brackets for my '76 were also body colour, Sienna Brown. I'm sure I was the first person to remove the bumper since it left the factory.

Zagato

Posted - 11 Apr 2017 : 22:18:31 Good to know, so not far out then.

The original brackets on mine (different type for rubber bumpers) were body coloured and in situ when the car was sprayed originally.

Posted - 11 Apr 2017 : 09:49:00 Very gradual enjoyment James but getting there slowly. Rear wing finally on and I have given myself a deadline to get the other one on once I have Dinitrolled it, touched up rust etc as well as the inner wing and make up another axle strap. I want to get the back end done with new rear bumper on.

A Defender to work on plus day trips with the kids off school this week is slowing proceedings but the beach is only 18 miles away so I have evenings! The kids gave me a hand putting the wing on also. I have got them trained up on the Dremmel for cleaning/polishing things.

James Ranaldi

Posted - 08 Apr 2017 : 21:48:39 Just realised that you were talking about MOT details for your car Zagato and not mine.

I was travelling incognito on my UKSaabs passport John ! Good to meet you at last.

Wrong details for my car Zagato. My registration number is HST 636F. Must have a look at this site myself.

As Andy has said, it is a left hooker which was brought over from Germany to RAF Lossiemouth near Elgin.

It is alive but sleeping under cover in my garage. I start it up regularly and move it back and forward for about 6 metres

I am enjoying this Project Zagato , keep up the good work.

New, Old Stock replica wings eh ? I wonder if I could find a good pair of the earlier wings in steel ? The original wings are pretty good but they are a bit frilly at the front. I also have a pair of fibreglass wings from MSA Autobodies which are very good quality so I have a few options.CheersJames